Electromagnetically-operated door-opener.



No. 682,796. Patented Sept. I7, |90I. J. M. G. GOULD.

ELECTRUIAGNETICALLY UPERATED D008 OPENER.

(Applicstion lad Nov. 28, 1900.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. G. GOULD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY-OPERATED DOOR-OPEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,796,.dated September 17, 1901.

Application filed November 26,1900. Serial No. 37,752. (No model.)

To @ZZ who/1t it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. G. GoULD, residing in Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improve ment in Electromagnetically-Operated Door- Openers, of which the following description,-

in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a. specification, like reference characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of electromagnetically-operatcd door-openers.

The invention consists in providing means for holding the armature of the electromagnet against vibration except when operated by the energized electromagnet, thereby providing against releasing the actua-ting mechanism bya shock or jar; also, in providing a circuit-operating device adapted to be operated by the actuating mechanism to open the circuit as soon as said actuating mechanism is released, thereby providing against excessively using the battery by holding the circuit closed for an unnecessary length of time; also, in providing an actuating member which when released moves outward and is constructed and arranged to positively thrust inward the spring-bolt on the door, so that the door can be opened, said member thereby constituting a bolt-actuating member; also, in constructing suitable mechanism for releasing and otherwise controlling the operation of said bolt-actuating member; also, in providing means for restoring or resetting the bolt-actuating member adapted to be oper ated by the closing of the door. Figure l shows in front elevation an electromagnetically-operated door-opener embodying this invention, the parts being in the position they will occupy when the bolt-actuating member is set and the door locked. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the parts in the position they will occupy when the boltactuating member has been released and the door is opened. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the door-opener shown in Fig. l, taken on the dotted line 3 3 looking downward. Fig. 4 is a similar cross-section of the dooropener shown in Fig. 2, taken on the dotted line 4 4 looking downward. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bolt-actuating member. Fig. Gis a detail of a pivoted cam-block adapted to be struck by the door, and thereby restore or reset the bolt-actuating lnember. Fig. 7 is a detail showing the retractile spring for the armature for the electromagnet, and Fig. Sis a plan View of the bolt-actuating member and cam-block for restoring or resetting it.

a represents a case which contains the operating parts, and it has formed or provided on one side of it a striker-plate a. This case, with its striker-plate,is adapted to be inserted in a mortise cut in the jamb of the doorframe. b is an electromagnet contained in said case a, and b' its pivoted armature. As herein shown, one of the journals, as b2, of said pivoted armature is iiattened on one side, (see Fig. 7,) and a long slender fiat spring b3 is connected to the frame, the free end of which bears upon said iiattened side of the journal b2 and acts to normally hold the pivoted armature in its retracted position, as shown in Figs. l and 7. The springb3 therefore serves as a retractile spring for the armature. The pivoted armature b is formed or provided with two sockets 2 2, although any other number of sockets may be'provided, and back of said armature two springacting arms 3 3 are located, which are made quite long and slender, and said arms are at# tached at their lower ends to the case, and their upper ends terminate quite close to the armature and adjacent the sockets 2 2. When said spring-acting arms 3 3 are held in their normal position, as shown in Fig. l, by their inherent spring action, they will be disposed out of alinement with the sockets 2 2 and will consequently serve as back-stops for the armature, to thereby prevent movement of said armature toward the electromagnet b, so that in the event of any shock or jar the said armature will not be moved to release the actuating mechanism. The spring-acting arms 3 3 are formed or provided at or near their upper ends with auxiliary armatures 4 4, one for each core or pole piece of the electromagnet b, and when said electromagnet is energized said auxiliary armatures 4 4 will be attracted, and when so moved the arms 3 3 will be moved in opposite ways and will be brought into correct alinement with the sockets 2 2. The armature b' may at such time be attracted by the energized electromagnet to thereby release the actuating mechanism. I may employ any number of stoparms 3:3, although two are herein shown, which areadapted to be moved in opposite Ways, and in practice I prefer to employ two stop-arms which are movable in opposite ways.

One of the circuit-wires, as 5, is connected to a binding-post c, of insulating material,

and the other circuit-wire, as 6, is connected to a binding-post c', of insulating material, said binding-posts being set in one side wall of the case a, and a contact-spring c2 is attached to one of said posts, as c, for instance, the opposite or free end of which is adapted t0 engage and make contact with a contactpoint on the post c', and said contact-spring czserves as an automatic circuit-operatingdevice for the circuit of the electromagnet b. The contact-spring c2 is normally held in engagement with the contact-point to thereby close the circuit at such point by a coperative part of the actuating mechanism and will be released whenever said actuating mechanism is released to thereby open the' circuit at such time.

By providing a circuit.- operating device having the functions above set forth it will be seen that the battery is saved, as the circuit is immediately automatically opened whenever the actuating` mechanism is released, and even it the press-button or other circuit-operating device for the circuit of the electromagnet b should be held closed by the operator for an unnecessary lengt-h of time no more current will be used than isrequired to operate the electromagnet and release the actuating mechanism;

The striker-plate a has a recess a3, (see dotted lines, Fig. 1,) adapted to receive any usual spring-bolt on the door when said door is closed. A bolt-actuating member e is provided for positively thrusting said springbolt out of said recess whenever released, so that the door can be opened, and in this particular my dooropener diers essentially from any known to me. The bolt-actuating member consists of a plate having a slot or opening e' formed init, which receives a stud e2, projecting from the case, and said stud is made of suitable size to serve as a guide and support for said plate. One end of said plate, as e20, is made of suitable size and shape to enter the recess a8 in the striker-plate and to form the bottom wall of said recess, and said end portion e2 has an abutting face adapted to bear upon or against. the bolt. The bolt-actuating member e has' a sliding movement sufcientfor its end portion @20 to move outward to a position whereby its abutting face is flush with the face of the strikerplate a', and when said member is thus moved the bolt contained in the recess will be positively thrust out of the recess. The boltactuating member e is thrust outward by means of a spring e, which, as herein shown, is contained in the slot or opening e', being supported on a stud e4 and bearing at one end against the bolt-actuating member and at the other end against the stud e2. This bolt-actuating member e is herein shown as the member which is selected for operating the circuitoperating device c2, and it is therefore provided with a projection e ofinsulating material which is adapted to engage the contact-spring c2. The bolt-actuating member e has a detent e7, (see Figs. 3 and 4,) which normally enters a recess formed or provided in the hub of a lockingleverf,which is pivoted at f' to the case, and as said member e moves or slides in either direction the .locking-leverfwill be correspondingly moved,

Aber e to be moved outward by the spring e3,

and when said member e is restored or reset to employ said member e as the means for restoring or resetting said locking-lever f. Therefore a connection between said parts becomes necessary.

The locking-lever f has at its outer end a detentfz, which normally engages the pivoted armature b' of the electromagnet b and is held by said armature in its normal or set position, (see Figs. 1 and 3;) but when said armature b' is attracted said locking-lever will be released and will be swung on its pivot into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, such movement being caused by the spring e3 moving the bolt-actuating member. The locking- 'lever f has also a stop-pin f3, and when said lever isswung into its abnormal position, Fig. 4, said stop-pin will occupy a position just over or above the armature b', and thereby serve to mechanically hold said armature in its attracted position until said locking-lever is restored or reset. The bolt-actuating member e has also a pin egprojecting from it at such point as to cross the path of movement ofthe locking-lever when the parts are released and to thereby engage and mechanically hold said locking-lever in its abnormal position. (See Fig. 4.) The bolt-actuating member e has a projection or ear e, which overlies the end of the locking-lever f to prevent said locking-lever rising if it should work loose on its pivot. Whenever the boltactuating member e is released by releasing the locking-lever and the parts are moved by the spring es into their abnormal positions, they will remain in such position until positively restored or reset by means provided for this purpose. The means herein shown for restoring or resetting said parts consists, essentially, of a pivoted cam-block n adapted to be engaged and operated by the closing of oted at m to an ear m2 on the top side of the bolt-actuating member e. The cam-block n is IOS IIO

IIS

normally concealed within the case, as shown in Fig. I, but is adapted to be turned on its pivot and projected out of the case, as shown in Fig. 2, by means of spring n3. The tendency ofthe spring n3 is to continuously thrust outward said cam-block, and, consequently,

whenever the door is opened and the camblock thus released it will project. When said cam-block is struck by the door, it will be turned on its pivot against the action of said spring n3, and its shoulder n2 will strike against the end of the latch m, and the boltactuating member e will be thrust inward by said cam-block until it has been returned to its normal'position and has in turn reset the locking-leverf, and at such time said shoulder n2 will slip ott of or pass by the end of said latch. The bolt-actuating member e having thus been restored or reset is free to move outward independent of said cam block whenever released, so that the bolt of the door can be thrust out of the recess as before the cam-block is released by the opening of the door.

I claim- 1. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, the combination with the actuating mechanism, of an electromagnet for releasing it having a pivoted armature, a stop-arm for normallyholding said armature in its retracted position, and an auxiliary armature borne by said stop-arm adapted to be attracted by said electromagnet for moving said stop-arm into position to permit said armature to be attracted, substantially as described.

2. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, the combination with the actuating mechanism, of an electromagnet for releasing it having a pivoted armature provided with one or more sockets, and one or more stoparms normally held out of alinement with said sockets, each bearing an auxiliary armature for moving it into alinement with its socket when the electromagnet is energized, substantially as described.

3. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, the combination with the actuating mechanism, of an electromagnet for releasing it having a pivoted armature provided with one or more sockets, and one or more stoparmsnormallyheld out of alinementwith said sockets, and means for moving said stoparms into alinement with said sockets operated by theenergized electromagnet, substantially as described.

4. In an electromagnetically -operated dooropener, the combination with the actuating mechanism, of an electromagnet for releasing it having a pivoted armature provided with two sockets, two stop-arms located between the coils of said electromagnet and normally held out of alinement with said sockets and movable in opposite ways to register with said sockets, and an auxiliary armature borne by each stop-arm, substantially as described.

5. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, the combination with the actuating mechanism, of an electromagnet for releasing it, a pivoted armature therefor having one of its journals formed with a fiat side, and a flat spring bearing on the tlat side of said journal for normally holding the armature in its retracted position, thereby serving as a retractile spring for said armature, substantially as described.

6. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, the combination with the bolt-actuating mechanism, 0f an electromagnet having a pivoted armature for releasing it, a circuit-operating device for the circuit ot said electromagnet operated by said bolt-actuating mechanism to open the circuit automatically when said bolt-actuating mechanism is released by said pivoted armature, substantially as described.

7. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, a case having a striker-plate formed with a recess for the bolt, a bolt-actuating member contained in said case having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt-actuating member outward, a locking device for locking said bolt-actuating member in its set position and an electromagnet for operating said locking device to release said bolt-actuating member, substantially as described.

8. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, a case having a striker-plate formed witharecess for the bolt,a bolt-actuating member con tained in said case having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt-actuating member outward, means operated bythe closing of the door for moving said bolt-actuating memberinward, a locking device for locking the bolt-actuating member in its set position, and an electromagnet for operating said locking device to release said bolt-actuating member, substantially as described.

9. In an electromagnetically-operated dooropener, a case having a striker-plate formed with a recess for the bolt, a bolt-actuating member contained in said case having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt-actuating member outward, a locking device for locking said bolt-actuating member in its set position, a pivoted camblock operated by the closing of the door for moving said bolt-actuating member inward into engagement with said locking device, and an electromagnet for operating said locking device, substantially as described.

l0. In an electromagnetically operated door-opener, a case having a striker-plate formed with a recess for the bolt, a bolt-actuating member contained in said case having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt-actuating member outward, a detent on said bolt-actuating member, a pivoted locking-lever having a recess for said de- IOO IIO

tent and also having a detent, a pivoted armature engaging the detent on said 1ockinglever and an electromagnet for operating said armature, substantially as described.

ll. In an electromagnetically operated door-opener, a case having a striker-plate formed with a recess for the bolt, a bolt-actuatin g member contained in said ease having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt-actuating member outward, a detent on said bolt-actuating member, a pivoted locking-lever having a recess in its hub for said detent and having at its extremity a detent, a pivoted armature engaging the detent on said locking-lever and an electromagnet for operating said armature, substantially as described.

12. In an electromagnetically operated door-opener, a spring-actuated bolt-actuating member having a detent, a pivoted lockinglever having a recess for said detent and having a detent and also having a stop-pin, a pivoted armature engaging the detent on said locking-lever when in its retracted position and engaging the stop-pin when in its attracted position, and an eleetromagnet for operating said armature, substantially as described.

13. In an electromagnetically operated door-opener, a case having a striker-plate formed with a recess for the bolt, a bolt-aw tuating member contained in said case having an abutting face adapted to engage and thrust the bolt out of said recess, a spring for moving said bolt actuating member outward, means operated by the closing of the door for moving said holt-actuating member inward, a locking-lever for holding said bolt-actuating member with its actuating-spring under tension, means for connecting said bolt-actuating member with said locking-lever, whereby said locking-lever is restored by said bolt-actuating member, a pivoted armature engaging said locking-lever and an eleetromagnet for said armature, substantially as described. 

